South Korea to Canada 2027: CSAT, AP and Entry Rules

For Fall 2027, you can apply to Canadian universities with a Korean academic high school certificate. Most published rules ask for your school transcript, not CSAT scores. U of T is the clear exception. Its Korea minimum adds the College Scholastic Ability Test, which Korea holds on November 19, 2026.

Reviewed October 19, 2026. Most university rules below have no intake year printed on them. Dated 2027 deadlines and award steps are labelled. Pending figures say so.

Which Korean record do Canadian universities ask for?

Canadian pages give the Korean credential several names. U of T and York write Immumgye Kodung Hakkyo Choeupchang, or Academic Upper Secondary School Certificate. SFU, Laurier, Manitoba and uOttawa spell it Inmungye Kodung Hakkyo. UBC calls it the Korean Senior Secondary School Certificate of Graduation. McGill lists a High School Diploma, and Alberta a High School Leaving Academic Certificate.

These labels all describe the academic high school credential. The spelling differences come from each university's own romanization. Don't change the name on your certificate to match one page. Enter the title your school prints, in English if your school issues an English version.

The record most universities read first is your transcript. Families often know the school record by its Korean name, 학교생활기록부. The Canadian pages checked here don't use that name. They ask for a transcript with grades by year and term. Ask your school which English record it sends to foreign universities. Then check that it shows each subject, each term and the grade scale.

Several rows name the academic stream. If your school follows a vocational or other track, ask each university how it reviews that record. Do this before you pay an application fee.

Is the CSAT (Suneung) required?

For most universities checked here, no. The Korea rows for UBC, York, Waterloo, McGill, SFU, Alberta, Laurier, Manitoba, uOttawa and Memorial don't list the CSAT. They base the decision on your school record and their own subject rules. Leaving a test off a page isn't a promise that a score won't help. It means the published minimum doesn't ask for one.

U of T is the exception. Its country list sets the Korea minimum as the academic certificate plus the College Scholastic Ability Test. Plan to write the CSAT if U of T is on your list. If you can't sit it, ask U of T before you apply whether another route exists. The page doesn't describe one.

The exam board, KICE, has set the 2027 academic-year CSAT for November 19, 2026. Scores go to students on December 11, 2026. KICE notes that its schedule can change. U of T's application deadline for 2027 entry is January 15, 2027, so your scores arrive before that date. U of T's page doesn't say how CSAT results should reach it. Ask the admissions office about the format before December.

Some families also ask about the CSAT for UBC. UBC's South Korea page doesn't mention it. UBC says the grades needed differ by degree and change each year. In past years, it lists a Wu grade or 84% raw score as the level needed for an offer. That is a past guide, not a 2027 cut-off.

Compare published university rules

Korean rank grades and percentage scales

Laurier's table shows Korean grades on a 1 to 9 rank scale. Canadian universities don't all translate those ranks the same way. Laurier's table puts rank 1 at 97%, rank 3 at 84% and rank 6 at 65% for grades from 2006 onwards. Its older table uses Su, Wu, Mi, Yang and Ga.

Manitoba's faculty rows describe rank 6 as 70% and rank 4 as 80%. Its University 1 route needs a rank average of 6 over four senior courses, with no course below rank 8. Commerce and Engineering need a rank average of 4, with no course below rank 6. Those labels don't match Laurier's numbers. Each university uses its own conversion. Don't build one Canada-wide chart from these pages.

UBC's past-year guide uses the old word scale and a raw score. A Wu grade or 84% raw score met the level in past years. Use it to see if you're near the range. It isn't a promise for 2027.

Subject prerequisites for business, science and engineering

Required courses matter as much as your average. At UBC Vancouver, Sauder Commerce lists Upper Secondary Math at the Pre-Calculus level. Science needs Math, Chemistry and Physics. UBC may waive Physics for Science if you have 90% in both Math and Chemistry. Engineering lists the same three subjects. It may review strong students missing Chemistry or Physics case by case.

Waterloo's Computer Science and Mathematics rows for South Korea ask for senior Mathematics with algebra and calculus, senior English and one more senior course. These programs also require the Admission Information Form. Waterloo asks Korean applicants to email it about required courses. Do that early so a course name doesn't stall your file.

SFU's Beedie business school needs senior Math and uses a supplemental application. SFU Engineering Science needs senior Math, Chemistry and Physics. Laurier maps its prerequisites to Korean Advanced Subject courses. English I or English II covers its English rule. Probability and Statistics covers its statistics-based Math rule. Laurier may ask for course descriptions to check content.

Students at US-curriculum international schools in Korea

Some students in Korea attend international schools that teach an American curriculum with AP courses. If that's your school, the Korean national rows above may not be your route. Each university decides which rules apply. Ask before you choose a country or curriculum in an application.

UBC lists an option called United States (American curriculum). It asks for graduation from an academic program at a US regionally accredited school. SAT and ACT scores are optional, and UBC says you won't be disadvantaged without them. AP courses can help meet the subject rules. For Sauder, that route lists Pre-Calculus. Confirm with UBC that your school's accreditation fits this route.

UBC's AP page says all AP courses can count for admission. It mainly uses your school's percentage grades in those courses. If AP exam results are ready in time, UBC may include them. It converts a 5 to 96%, a 4 to 86%, a 3 to 80% and a 2 to 70%. A 4 or better on an approved exam can earn first-year credit. AP Seminar and AP Research don't earn UBC credit, but UBC views them positively.

U of T's US-patterned rules need a diploma from an accredited high school. Most math, science, computer science and commerce programs need Calculus, AP Calculus or one term of college calculus. Pre-Calculus doesn't meet that rule. SAT and ACT are optional, except Engineering applicants must disclose all scores. AP scores go to U of T electronically.

McMaster's American-style rules include internationally located schools with US regional accreditation. It doesn't weight AP or honours courses in its average. It may ask for official AP results with scores of at least 3. For a full country-by-country view of US rules, read our guide for US-curriculum applicants.

Documents to prepare from your Korean school

Ask your school early which records it can send directly. Laurier wants transcripts covering Grades 10 to 12 when you apply. To clear conditions, it needs your final official certificate sent straight from your school. uOttawa asks current students for three years of transcripts plus first-term results from the final year. Graduates send proof of the diploma instead of the term record.

SFU asks for every course completed so far and final grades from the first semester of senior year. McGill wants a copy of your transcript with mid-year or first-semester results of the final year. Missing documents can cost you a place in a full program. McGill says it may cancel incomplete files once a program fills.

UBC accepts photocopies of official certificates only when your principal, head or counsellor certifies them. It doesn't accept notarized copies. That differs from what some families expect. Check this rule before paying a notary. Our credential evaluation guide explains outside credential reports. Only order one if a university asks for it.

English proof: tests and waivers

Most Korean national-curriculum students will need an English test. U of T's exemption needs four years of English-language schooling in a country where English is dominant. South Korea isn't on its country list. U of T asks for IELTS Academic of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. For TOEFL tests from January 21, 2026, it asks for 4.5 overall with 4.5 in Writing and 4.0 in Speaking.

UBC's standard asks for IELTS Academic of 6.5 with no part below 6.0. The TOEFL iBT option lists 90 overall, or 4.5 on the new scale, with section minimums. Duolingo needs 125 overall. For the 2027/2028 session, test scores must date from January 1, 2025 onwards. UBC also accepts four years at an eligible English-medium school abroad. For US-accredited schools, AP English Language or Literature at 4 or higher can help if you have fewer than four years.

Waterloo needs a test if your four most recent years of full-time school weren't in an English-language system. uOttawa uses three years at an English-only school in a country where English is official. McGill exempts four years in a country where English is the primary language. Memorial requires a standardized test. Compare scores in our English test guide.

Deadlines for the 2027 cycle

U of T recommends applying by November 7, 2026 for most faculties. Its deadline is January 15, 2027. UBC's application opened in early October 2026 and closes January 15, 2027. Its English proof deadline is February 15, 2027. UBC makes high school decisions from November 2026 into June 2027.

Your CSAT scores arrive on December 11, 2026, if you write it. Your final certificate may not exist until after you graduate. Read each school's document dates rather than assuming one schedule. Our UBC deadlines page and U of T deadlines page list the details. The Canadian deadlines guide covers other schools.

Scholarships: open and closed dates

UBC International Scholars is for students with strong grades, leadership and significant financial need. For September 2027, you must apply to UBC and submit the award application by November 15, 2026. Your school nominator and teacher referee must be different people. A school may nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver. Documents and English proof are due January 31, 2027.

You must have graduated no earlier than June 2026. UBC runs a financial review of family income, costs and assets. If you apply to this program, UBC won't consider you for its merit awards. Some degrees, such as Nursing and dual degrees, aren't eligible.

UBC's merit awards are a separate route. The IMES range of $10,000 to $25,000 a year is for 2026/2027. The Fall 2027 value is pending. Most winners hear before their May 1 acceptance deadline. These awards don't take need into account.

U of T's Pearson award covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years. For 2027 entry, the school nomination deadline was October 9, 2026. The admission deadline was October 16, 2026. Both have passed. Only nominated students who met them can finish the November 6, 2026 scholarship form. Browse international scholarships for other options.

Tuition and living costs

Waterloo publishes international estimates for two terms based on September 2026 starts. Computer Science is about $73,000. Arts is about $58,000. Mathematics is about $62,000, and Engineering is about $75,000. Books and supplies add about $1,500 in most programs. Fall 2027 figures aren't posted yet. Expect your actual bill to differ.

Waterloo also notes that accounting and finance programs cost much more in upper years. Co-op students also pay a co-op fee of $836 per term, a set number of times by program. Compare Waterloo fees, UBC fees and U of T fees for the program you want.

Study permit, proof of funds and PAL

An offer doesn't let you study in Canada by itself. IRCC's checklist includes your acceptance letter, a PAL or TAL, a passport, proof of funds and a letter explaining why you want to study in Canada. Some applicants also need a medical exam or police certificate.

For applications from September 1, 2026, one person studying outside Quebec must show $23,448 for living costs. Tuition and travel come on top. IRCC updates the amount each year, so the 2027 figure may change. Proof can include six months of bank statements or a scholarship letter. Quebec sets its own requirements, which matters if you choose McGill.

Most students need a provincial or territorial attestation letter, called a PAL or TAL. Your school tells you how to apply for it. IRCC's page explains that 2026 letters run until December 31, 2026. Rules for 2027 letters are still pending. Parents can read our guide for international families for help with funds.

Build your shortlist

Start with the record you actually hold. A national-curriculum student should check each Korea row and decide on the CSAT for U of T. An international-school student should confirm the US route and AP use at each school. Then match your senior subjects to each program's prerequisites. Book your English test early. Check costs against your family's real budget. Our international students guide and UBC Sauder admission guide can help with the next steps.

Official sources

• KICE: 2027 CSAT overview and schedule. Checked 2026-10-19. Confirmed 2027 academic-year CSAT: exam November 19, 2026, scores issued December 11, 2026. KICE says dates can change.
• U of T: requirements by country (Korea, South). Checked 2026-10-19. Current minimum, no intake year given: Academic Upper Secondary School Certificate plus the College Scholastic Ability Test.
• U of T: international and US-patterned requirements. Checked 2026-10-19. Current rules for US-patterned schools: Calculus or AP Calculus for most math, science and commerce programs; SAT/ACT optional except Engineering disclosure.
• U of T: 2027 application deadlines. Checked 2026-10-19. Confirmed 2027 admissions: recommended early date November 7 and deadline January 15 for most faculties.
• U of T: English-language requirements. Checked 2026-10-19. Current test minimums and four-year exemption rule; South Korea isn't on the exemption country list checked.
• UBC: international high schools (South Korea). Checked 2026-10-19. Current Vancouver rules read from the page's own selector: certificate, document copy rules, degree prerequisites and past-year Wu or 84% guide.
• UBC: international high schools (United States curriculum). Checked 2026-10-19. Current American-curriculum rule: US regionally accredited school, optional SAT/ACT; Sauder needs Pre-Calculus. School eligibility needs confirming.
• UBC: Advanced Placement students. Checked 2026-10-19. Current AP policy: school AP grades used; available exam results converted (5 is 96%, 4 is 86%); 4 or better earns first-year credit.
• UBC: English Language Admission Standard. Checked 2026-10-19. Current ELAS: scores for 2027/2028 must date from January 1, 2025 onwards; school-based routes need four qualifying years.
• UBC: dates and deadlines. Checked 2026-10-19. Confirmed Winter Session 2027 dates: January 15, 2027 application deadline; February 15, 2027 English proof deadline.
• UBC: International Scholars. Checked 2026-10-19. Confirmed September 2027 intake: admission and award application by November 15, 2026; documents and English by January 31, 2027.
• UBC: international merit awards. Checked 2026-10-19. Published IMES range is for 2026/2027; the Fall 2027 value is pending. Scholars applicants aren't considered for merit awards.
• U of T: Pearson scholarship. Checked 2026-10-19. Confirmed September 2027 cycle; October 9 nomination and October 16 admission deadlines have passed. The November 6, 2026 form is for those nominees.
• York: requirements by country. Checked 2026-10-19. Current Korea row, no intake year given, names the Academic Upper Secondary School Certificate; no CSAT is listed and minimums don't guarantee entry.
• Waterloo: Computer Science requirements for South Korea. Checked 2026-10-19. Current page names the certificate, calculus, English and Admission Information Form rules; English test depends on four recent years.
• Waterloo: tuition estimates. Checked 2026-10-19. Published international estimates are based on September 2026 starts; Fall 2027 figures aren't posted yet.
• McGill: other international credentials. Checked 2026-10-19. Current list names the Korea (South) High School Diploma; transcript review and a B+ equivalent minimum, with higher program standards.
• SFU: South Korea requirements. Checked 2026-10-19. Current page: senior-year academic subjects drive the average; first-semester senior grades and 60% senior Math are required.
• Alberta: required credentials by country. Checked 2026-10-19. Current PDF names the Korea High School Leaving Academic Certificate; program averages and subjects are published elsewhere.
• Laurier: South Korea requirements. Checked 2026-10-19. Current page: five advanced or enriched courses, Grades 10 to 12 transcripts, and its own rank-to-percentage table.
• Manitoba: international admission requirements. Checked 2026-10-19. Current Korea rows use rank averages by faculty; its rank labels differ from Laurier's conversion table.
• uOttawa: South Korea applicants. Checked 2026-10-19. Current page: 75% minimum, three years of transcripts plus first term of final year, and a three-year English exemption rule.
• Memorial: South Korea requirements. Checked 2026-10-19. Current page: academic-stream certificate, 80% or B in required subjects, and a standardized English test.
• McMaster: common international requirements. Checked 2026-10-19. Current American-style rules include internationally located schools with US regional accreditation; AP isn't weighted.
• IRCC: study-permit documents. Checked 2026-10-19. Current list; IRCC can ask some applicants for more.
• IRCC: financial support. Checked 2026-10-19. Current amount for applications from September 1, 2026, plus tuition and travel.
• IRCC: PAL and TAL. Checked 2026-10-19. Current page explains the 2026 cap year only. Validity dates for 2027 letters remain pending.